Question

A 45-year-old gentleman was admitted in the ward for an acute febrile illness. He is on treatment for diabetes mellitus and hypertension for the last 5 years. The ward sister witnesses the patient not responding and is in cardiac arrest, and CPR is initiated. You are called to help.
What are the cardiac rhythms amenable for cardioversion?

Hint:

Cardioversion is typically used for arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, while defibrillation is used for life-threatening rhythms like ventricular fibrillation and asystole.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the question.
The patient is in cardiac arrest, and CPR is initiated. The question asks about the cardiac rhythms amenable for cardioversion, which is a procedure used to restore normal rhythm. It is important to distinguish between rhythms that can benefit from cardioversion and those that cannot.

Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) Sinus rhythm: Sinus rhythm is the normal heart rhythm and does not require cardioversion. This is incorrect.
(B) Atrial fibrillation: Atrial fibrillation is a rhythm that can be treated with cardioversion to restore a normal rhythm. This is the correct answer.
(C) Ventricular fibrillation: Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening arrhythmia that requires immediate defibrillation, not cardioversion. This is incorrect.
(D) Asystole: Asystole is a state of no electrical activity in the heart and cannot be treated with cardioversion. This is incorrect.

Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (B) Atrial fibrillation, as this arrhythmia can be treated with cardioversion to restore a normal heart rhythm.